Container with spout and closure therefor



y 2, 19 A. B. MOJONNIER 3,390,816 CONTAINER WITH SPOUT AND CLOSURE THEREFOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 8. 1966 y 2, 9 I A. B. MOJONNIER 3,390,

CONTAINER WITH SPOUT AND CLOSURE THEREFOR Filed Sept. 8, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet a United States Patent 3,390,816 CONTAINER WITH SPOUT AND CLOSURE THEREFOR Albert B. Mojonnier, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Albert Mojonnier, Inc., Franklin Park, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Filed Sept. 8, 1966, Ser. No. 577,872 19 Claims. (Cl. 222-453) ABSTRA'CT OF THE DllSCLOSURE A container formed by opposed half-sections joined together along a medial flange seam with a pouring spout at the seam line formed with outturned lips joined to the medial flange seam. A cover is sealed to the lip on the spout and is formed in sections to allow swinging of one cover section to open position while the other cover section remains attached to the spout lip. A removable clamp band overlies the periphery of the cover and is crimped to the underside of the spout lip to hold the cover in closed position.

This invention relates to improvements in containers with spouts and closures therefor.

In order to be commercially satisfactory, it is of course necessary that the container cover be capable of effecting a reliable seal with the container spout and maintaining a satisfactory seal under the stresses encountered in normal handling and transportation of the container to the point of use. This problem of effecting and maintaining a seal between a cover ad a container spout is markedly aggravated when the spout is formed of a distortable material, such as relatively thin plastic material. The spouts on such plastic containers are not as rigid as those on glass or metal containers and do not provide a rigid support for the cover during capping. Moreover, the relatively thin plastic containers are deformable under the pressures encountered during handling and transportation of the same, and when squeezed or compressed, produce an internal fluid pressure on the cover which tends to unseat the same. It is accordingly an important object of this invention to provide an improved container spout and cover construction suitable for use in plastic containers and which can effect and maintain a reliable seal between the cover and spout on such containers.

Another object of this invention is to provide a container spout and cover construction in which the cover can be reclosed after opening the same.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a container spout and cover construction in which the cover is not completely detached from the container when opened, but instead has a section fixed to the container spout and another section fiexedly hinged to the first section to enable opening and closing of one section of the cover without removing the cover from the spout.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a container spout and cover construction which is tamper-proof, that is, the cover cannot be initially opened and then re closed without evidencing that it has been so opened.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a container spout and cover construction which protectively covers the lip on the container spout to preclude contamination of the same after the cover has been sealed to the spout.

These, together with otherobjects and advantages of this invention, will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in connection with the ac companying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a container and cover embodying the present invention;

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FIG. 2 is a fragmentary exploded side elevational view of a container showing the spout and cover assemb v;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of a container showing the spout and cover assembled thereon;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a container showing the spout and cover with the locking band removed;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the container showing the spout with the cover assembly thereon;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view of the container showing the spout and cover with the locking band removed;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the cover mmeber;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the container showing the spout and cover in its opened condition;

FIG. 9 is a perspective exploded view of the container;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view through the container spout and closure taken on the plane 10-10 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view through the container spout and closure taken on the plane 1111 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view through the container spout and closure taken on the plane 12-12 of FIG. 5.

The container spout and closure construction of the present invention was specially designed for application in plastic containers formed of two cup-like halves joined together along mating flange seams and wherein the container spout is located at the seam line. While the spout and cover construction of the present invention achieves its fullest utility in such applications, it is to be understood that some features of construction of the present invention can also advantageously be employed in containers formed of other materials and in containers wherein the spout is not located along the seam line of two cuplike container half-sections.

A container embodying the spout construction of the present invention is best illustrated in FIG. 9, it being understood that the size and shape of the container can be varied as desired. In general, the container comprises a pair of cup-shaped half-sections designated 21 and 21'. The half-sections are preferably similarly shaped but mirror images of each other, and like numerals are used to designate corresponding parts. The container may be formed of various different materials and is preferably formed of thermoplastic material such as polyethylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, etc. The container halfsections may be molded or shaped in any suitable manner but are preferably formed of sheet thermoplastic material in a fluid pressure forming process wherein fluid pressure is used to press the sheet of heat softened plastic material into conformity with the shape of a mold. Either vacuum or air at greater than atmospheric pressure may be used to press the sheet into engagement with a mold, and the mold may be of either the male or female type. In practice, it has been found preferable to use a socalled plug-assist method in which the thermoplastic sheet is heated; placed over a female mold; a plug pressed against the sheet to draw the material from the sides into the bottom of the mold; and a vacuum thereafter applied to draw the sheet away from the plug and into conformity with the mold. This method enables control over the amount of thinning of the sheet at the bottom of the mold and, by proper design of the plug, the sheet can be drawn to control the distribution of the material in the different walls of the container half-sections.

As shown, the container half-sections each includes a face panel 22, and front, top, rear and bottom panels 23 26 respectively which extend transverse to the side panels and from a cup-like shell or caviy. The front, top, rear and bottom panels respectively terminate in outturned flange portions 30a-30d respectively, and the flanges on the opposed half-sections 21 and 21 are joined together as by heat sealing, adhesive or the like to form a liquid receiving container.

The container spout is formed at the medial flange seam and, as shown, includes opposed spout half-sections designated 31 and 31 respectively formed integrally with the container half-sections Z1 and 21. The spout halfsections are also preferably of like shape, but mirror images of each other, and each includes a generally U- shaped spout wall 32 which extends outwardly from one of the container panels such as the top panel 24. The U- shaped spout walls of each spout half-section have flange portions 30c and 30] along opposite sides thereof, which flange portions are coplanar with the flanges on the mating half-sections and merge therewith. The spout half-sections, when joined together along the flange portions 30c and 30], define a container spout at the medial flange seam. For reasons pointed out hereinafter, the spout is formed with an oblong and preferably pear-shaped configuration. The major end of the spout is preferably formed adjacent the front panels 23 of the container halfsections with the minor end of the container extending rearwardly therefrom. A handle may be formed on the container and, as shown, handle half-sections 33 and 33 are formed on the container half-sections 21 and 21 and joined together to form a handle at the medial flange seam on the container.

As will be seen, formation of the spout in opposed halfsections joined together at the medial flange seam, complicates the problem of sealing a cover to the container due to the intersection of the flange seam with the spout opening. In accordance with the present invention, the spout half-sections are formed with an outwardly extending lip designated 34 which extends outwardly along the spout walls 32 and is formed integrally with the flange portions Site and 30f on the respective spout half-section. In order to make a competitive disposable or one-use container out of plastic material, it is desirable to use relatively thin sheet material, and the spout construction wherein the spout flanges are integrally joined with the outturned lip .on the spout, markedly reinforces the outturned lip. For example, gallon size Containers for liquids such as milk can be formed from polyethylene sheet stock having an original thickness of the order of .040 and this sheet thickness is reduced in different areas during the forming of the cup-like halves and container spouts such that the outturned lips may have an overall thickness of no more than .020. Such relatively thin lip portions are quite flexible and easily deformable, and the integral spout flanges 30e and 30f materially reinforce and stiffen the lips 34 adjacent the forward and rear edges of the spout to facilitate application of the cap to the spout.

. The cover is constructed and arranged to form a seal with the outturned lip 34 on the spout of the container and, preferably, the cover is formed so as to be hingedly reclosable. The cover assembly includes a cover member designated 41 formed of a flexible material which is preferably of low resiliency so as to maintain the shape imparted thereo. Tin-plate having a thickness of about .005 is a presently preferred material, it being understood that other flexible materials such as plastic or fibrous material with or without metal reinforcement or backing may be used. The cover is advantageously formed in two hingedly interconnected sections, a first section 41a being fixedly secured to the container spout and a second section 411) being integrally and flexibly joined to the first section for hinged movement relative thereto along a flex line designated f between a closed position overlying the spout and an open position. As previously described, the container spout preferably has a generally pear-shaped configuration, and the cover member 41 is similarly formed with a generally pear-shaped configuration, the fixed section 41a of which is located adjacent the minor end of the cover member and the hinged section 411) of which is located adjacent the major end thereof.

The cover member has a marginal rim portion designated 42 that overlies the outwardly extending lips 34 on the spout and is configured complementary thereto. A first depression designated 43 is advantageously formed in the first section 41a of the cover member inwardly of the rim portion 42, the depression being offset below the level of the rim portion and having side walls 43a which converge rearwardly as viewed in plan and which are adapted to engage the inner walls of the spout adjacent the rear end thereof to aid in positioning the cover member on the spout and to inhibit movement of the cover member rearwardly relative to the spout. The forward wall 43b of the depression 43 is preferably inclined upwardly and forwardly to the flex line 1. A means is provided for fixedly securing the section 41a of the cover member to the spout and this means is preferably formed integrally with the cover member. In the embodiment shown, the cover member is formed with a depending flange designated 44 on the outer edge of the rim portion 42 along the section 41a, and which depending flange is adapted to be crimped to the underside of the spout lips 34, as shown in FIGS. 4, 7 and 12. The rear edge of the flange 44 is preferably crimped along the upper edge of the rear flange portion 30f on the spout, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7 so as to further stabilize the cover on the spout. The depending flange 44 on the cover member closely surrounds the forwardly diverging edges of the lips 34 on the spout, adjacent the rear cover section 41a, and grips the underside of the lips to positively inhibit forward movement of the'cover member relative to the spout while the aforedescribed depression 43 in the fixed section 41a extends into the spout and engages the inner wall thereof to inhibit rearward movement, whereby to positively lock the cover member to the spout.

As previously described, the section 4112 of the cover member is flexedly hinged to the fixed section 41a and can be moved between a closed position as shown in FIG. 4 and an open position as shown in FIG. 7. The hinged section 41b of the cover is also advantageously formed with a depressed portion 45 inwardly of the rim portion 42, and which depressed portion is offset below the plane of the rim portion and has a marginal wall 45b adapted to extend into the spout of the container. In the form shown, the depression 45 has a circular configuration complementary to the major part of the spout opening, and a rearward extension 45c having a rear wall 45d that merges with the flex line 7. The depression 45 rigidifies the flexible section 41b of the cover member so that flexing of the cover member occurs substantially only along the flex line f. In addition, the depression 45 extends into the container spout and is advantageously arranged to aid in holding the hinged portion of the cover member in its closed position. As best shown in FIG. 11, the wall 45]) of the depression 45 is advantageously formed with a slight reverse taper, that is, the wall 45b tapers upwardly and inwardly and cooperates with detent ribs 48 which extend inwardly of the spout walls 32. The detent ribs 48 are preferably in the form of shallow inwardly extending ribs conveniently formed on the walls 32 of the spout half-sections during thermo-forming of the same.

A gasket 46 is preferably provided between the cover member and the lips 34 of the container spout to assure a proper seal therebetween. While the gasket can be formed in any suitable resilient manner, it is conveniently formed of a vinyl base plastisol commonly used as a gasket in covers for glass bottles and the like. In order to improve adhesion of the vinyl base gasket material to the cover, the cover member is preferably coated or painted with a vinyl paint or lacquer and the vinyl plastisol then applied as a thick liquid or pasty mixture in a bead around the underside of the rim portion 42 of the cover member. The cover member is then heated or baked to cause the paint to adhere to the metal cap and to cause the vinyl plastisol gasket material to undergo a transformation from a pasty material to a permanent rubber-like gasket, all in a manner well known in the art. The rim portion 42 of the hinged section 4115 of the cover member is preferably formed with a slight depending flange indicated at 51 to provide a dam which confines the vinyl plastisol during application of the same and to also avoid a sharp edge on the cover member.

A locking band designated 55 is provided for releasably holding at least the hinged section 41b of the cover member in its closed position. The locking band is contoured complementary to the margin of the cover member 41 and includes a marginal rim portion 56 which overlies the upper side of the rim portion of the cover adjacent the outer periphery thereof, and a depending flange portion 57 which extends downwardly around the cover member and lips 34 on the spout. The flange portion 57 on the locking band is adapted to be crimped to the underside of the lip portion 34, as best shown in FIGS. 3 and -12, to hold the cover member in position thereon and to also press the lips 34 firmly against the gasket on the cover member to maintain a seal therebetween. The locking band is formed with a weakened area, preferably adjacent the minor end thereof, and herein shown in the form of a notch 58 at the rear end of the flange portion of the band and a slit 59 in the rim portion of the band, which slit intersects the notch. A tear tab 60 is formed integrally with the locking band adjacent the weakened area and, as shown, overlies the fixed section 41a of the cover member. The slit 59 extends into the tab 60' and, when the tab is lifted, it is adapted to tear in the area indicated at 61 to thereby rupture the band for removal thereof. The locking tab is conveniently formed with a shallow depression 62 to rigidity the tab, and which depression overlies the depression 43 in the cover member. As shown, the tab 60 projects forwardly into overlying relation with the rear portion 45c of the depression 45 in the hinged cover section 4111, to facilitate lifting of the tear tab 60. The tear tab is also conveniently formed of metal such as .005" tin-plate which is also coated as with a vinyl paint or the like, to protect the same.

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction and use of the container spout and cover arrangement will be readily understood. As will be seen, formation of the spout with an oblong, preferably pear-shaped configuration provides an area on the minor end of the spout to which the mounting portion 41a of the cover member can be attached without obstructing the normal delivery of liquid through the spout at the major end thereof. In addition, the oblong spout provides an air vent opening along the rear portion of the spout to allow air to enter the container during dispensing, which air vent opening will remain open during norm-a1 delivery of liquid through the spout as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 8. Location of the spout at the medial flange seam does present a problem as regards sealing of the cover to the spout, due to the intersection of the flange seam with the spout. However, the spout is formed with outwardly extending lips and the cover member and locking band are clamped to the underside of the spout lips 34 to press the somewhat flexible spout lips against the gasket on the cover member, to thereby maintain a seal between the cover member and spout. The gasket is formed of a resilient material which readily flows into the seam :line and otherwise conforms to any irregularities in the spout lips to form a proper seal therewith.

The cover member is itself formed of a flexible material preferab-ly of low resiliency so as to allow the hinged section 4112 of the cover member to remain open when it is lifted. This can be achieved by forming the cover member of tin-plate as described, for example tin-plate having a thickness of the order of .005 or, alternatively, by forming a laminated or multi-layered cover member, for example of plastic or fiber material, preferably with a reinforcing layer or section of metal or the like to give the cover the desired form retaining characteristics to hold the hinged section in its open position. The detent ribs 48 on the spout cooperate with the depressed portion 45 in the hinged section of the cover member to releasably retain the hinged section of the cover member closed, after the locking band has been removed.

As is apparent, the closure for the spout is essentially tamper-proof since the locking band must be ruptured for removal of the same and cannot be reapplied to the container. Since the locking band 55 firm-1y presses the lips 34 on the spout against the gasket at the underside of the cover member, it will be seen that a tight seal will be maintained between he spout and closure assembly notwithstanding the flexibility of the spout. The spout flanges 30e and 30 stiffen and reinforce the spout lips adjacent the forward and rear ends of the spout so as to facilitate the initial capping and the subsequent manual reclosing of the cap after it has been opened.

What is claimed as new is:

1. In combination, a container comprising opposed cupshaped container half-sections formed of plastic material and having mating outturned container flanges joined together along a medial flange seam, said container having a spout extending outwardly therefrom at said medial flange seam and including opposed U-shaped spout half-sections joined together by spout flanges along opposite sides of the spout half-sections, said spout half-sections each having an integral outturned lip portion at the outer ends thereof integrally joined with the spout flanges of the respective spout half-section, and a cover member spanning the open end of said spout and sealed to said lip portions.

2.. The combination of claim 1 wherein said cover member is in sections and is formed and arranged to allow flexing of one section thereof relative to the other section thereof along an intermediate flex line for movement of said one cover section relative to the other cover section into and out of a position closing said spout, means fixedly securing said other cover section to said lip portions of said spout for holding the cover member on the spout during opening and closing of the one cover section, and means for releasably holding said one cover section in a position closing said spout.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said spout has an oblong spout opening with its lengthwise dimension generally in a plane through said spout flanges, said cover having an oblong configuration with two end sections and being formed and arranged to allow flexing of one end section thereof relative to the other end section along an intermediate flex line for movement of said one end section relative to the other end section into and out of a position closing the spout opening, means fixedly securing said other end section of the cover member to said lip portions on the spout for holding the cover member on the spout during opening and closing of said one end section of the cover member, and means for releasably holding said one end section of the cover member in a position closing said spout.

4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said cover member is formed of a flexible material and includes a first cover section having a rim portion overlying part of the outwardly extending lips on said spout and having a depression inwardly of the rim portion engaging the inner wall of the spout adjacent one side thereof, said first cover section having an integral skirt crimped to said lips for fixedly holding the cover member on the spout, said cover member including a second cover section integrally and flexibly connected to said first cover section for movement relative to the first cover section into and out of a position closing the spout, and means for releasably '2 holding said second cover section in a position closing said spout.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said means for holding the second cover section in closed position includes a continuous band overlying the top margin of the cover member and crimped to the underside of said lip portions of the spout, said band having a weakened section adapted to be ruptured to break the continuity of the band for removal thereof from the cover member and spout.

6. The combination of claim 4 wherein said second cover section has a depression therein for rigidifying the second cover section, said depression in said second cover section projecting into the spout when the second cover section is closed.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said spout has a detent at the inner wall thereof engageable with said depression in the second cover section for releasably retaining said second cover section in a closed position.

8. The combination of claim 1 wherein said spout has a generally pear-shaped spout opening with its lengthwise dimension generally in a plane through said spout flanges, said spout closure member having a generally pear-shaped configuration and including a first cover section at the minor end thereof overlying the lip portions at the minor end of the spout and a second cover section at the major end of the closure member integrally and flexibly connected to said first cover section to enable flexing of the second cover section relative to the first cover section into and out of a position closing the major end of the spout opening, said first cover section having means fixedly clamping the same to said lip portions to hold the closure member on the spout during opening and closing of the second cover section, and means for releasably holding the second cover section in its closed position.

9. In combination, a container formed of plastic material having a spout with an open end and an integral flexible lip extending outwardly at the open end of the spout, a unitary spout cover member formed of flexible material, said spout cover member having a first cover section overlying a part of the area of the open end of the spout to form a partial closure therefor and a second cover section integrally and flexibly joined to the first cover section to enable flexing of the second cover section relative to the first cover section about a flex line extending across the face of the cover member intermediate the first and second cover sections into and out of a closed position overlying the remaining area of the open end of the spout. said first and second cover sections respectively having first and second rim portions cooperating to form a continuous marginal cover rim about the cover member overlying the lip on the container spout, said first cover section having an integral flange portion crimped to said lip on the spout to retain the cover member thereon, and a removable clamp band overlying at least the outer margin of said second cover section and engaging said lip on said spout for holding said second cover section in its closed position.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said first cover section has a depression therein extending into the spout and engaging the inner wall thereof to aid in locating and holding the cover member on the spout.

11. In combination, a container comprising opposed cup-shaped container half-sections formed of plastic material and having mating outturned container flanges joined together along a medial flange seam, said container having an open ended spout extending outwardly therefrom at said medial flange seam and including first and second opposed U-shaped spout half-sections joined together by spout flanges along opposite sides of the spout half-sections, said first and second spout half-sections respectively having first and second outturned lip portions at the outer ends thereof integrally joined with the spout flanges of the respective spout half-section, said lip portions defining a peripheral spout lip extending outwardly around the open end of the spout, a spout cover member formed of flexible material, said cover member having a first cover section and a second cover section integrally and flexibly joined to said first cover section for flexing movement relative thereto, said first and second cover sections respectively having first and second rim portions cooperating to form a continuous marginal cover rim, said first and second cover sections respectively having first and second central portions inside the respective rim portion and cooperating to form a continuous mouth-spanning cover, said first rim portion in said first cover section overlying part of the first and second lip portions on the spout and sealed thereto with the first central portion spanning part of the spout opening, said second rim portion overlying the remaining part of the first and second lip portions of the spout and sealed thereto with the second central portion spanning the remaining part of the spout opening, said second cover section being swingable to an open position away from the spout lip portions without removing the first cover section from the spout 12. The combination of claim 11 wherein said first cover section has a depression therein extending into the spout and engaging the inner wall thereof to aid in positioning and holding the cover member on the spout.

13. The combination of claim 12 wherein said second cover section has a depression therein extending into the spout.

14. The combination of claim 11 wherein said spout has a generally pear-shaped configuration and said cover has a generally pear-shaped configuration, said first cover section being at the minor end of said cover member.

15. The combination of claim 14 wherein first and second cover sections respectively have first and second depressions therein at opposite sides of said flex line and extending into the spout.

16. A cover for a container spout comprising, a cover member having a first cover section and a second cover section integrally and flexibly joined to the first cover section for flexing movement relative thereto about a flex line extending across the face of the cover member intermediate the first and second cover sections, said first and second cover sections respectively having first and second rim portions cooperating to form a continuous marginal cover rim about the cover member adapted to overlie the end of a container spout, a gasket in said marginal rim, said first cover section having an integral depending cover flange on said first rim portion adapted to be crimped to the spout of a container, and a locking band having a rim portion adapted to overlie the periphery of the cover member and a flange depending from the rim portion of the locking band adapted to be crimped to the spout of the container to hold the second cover section on a container spout, said locking band having a weakened area and a tab integral with the band adjacent the weakened area to facilitate rupturing of the band for removal thereof.

17. A cover for a container spout comprising, a cover member formed of a flexible material having a marginal rim portion adapted to overlie the end of a spout, said cover member having first and second depressed portions in the central area thereof surrounded by said rim portion and offset below said rim portion, said depressed portions being spaced apart by an intermediate flexible connecting portion disposed at the level of said rim portion to enable flexing of a first section of the cover member containing said first depressed portion relative to a second section of said cover member containing said second depressed portion along a flex line extending through said connecting portion and across said rim portion, said cover member having an integral flange on the outer edge of the rim portion associated with said first section of the cover member adapted to be crimped to the container spout to retain the first section of the cover member on the spout, and a locking band having a rim portion adapted to overlie the periphery of the cover member and a peripheral flange portion depending from the rim portion of the band adapted to be crimped to the spout of the container to hold the second section of the cover member on the spout, said locking band having a weakened area and a tab integral with the band adjacent the weakened area to facilitate rupturing of the locking band for removal thereof.

18. A cover for a container spout comprising a cover member having a generally pear-shaped configuration defining a first cover section at the minor end thereof and a second cover section at the major end thereof integrally and flexibly joined to the first cover section to enable flexing of the second cover section relative to the first cover section along a flex line intermediate the ends of the cover member, said first cover section having a depending flange thereon for clamping the cover member to the spout, and a locking band having a rim portion overlying the periphery of the cover member and 2. depending flange on the rim portion of the band adapted to be crimped to the spout, said locking band having a weakened area and a tab integral therewith adjacent said weakened area to facilitate rupturing of the locking band for removal thereof.

19. A cover according to claim 18 wherein first and second cover sections respectively have first and second rim portions cooperating to form a continuous marginal rim extending around the cover member and adapted to overlie the end of a container spout, said first and second cover sections respectively having first and second depressed portions inwardly of the respective rimportion and offset therebelow, said first and second depressed portions being separated from each other by a flexible connecting portion disposed at the level of said rim portions.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,889,089 6/1959 Herrick et al. 222-543 X 2,991,913 7/1961 Goth 222-543 X 3,308,997 3/1967 Kelley 215-l.5 X

FOREIGN PATENTS 1,005,781 9/ 1965 Great Britain.

ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

HADD S. LANE, Examiner. 

